Creative Audigy 2 ZS + Speedlink Medusa + Vista

If you can’t read Dutch, here’s a short summary: Creative has bad driver support, Vista launch made it worse, Speedlink Medusa vibration doesn’t work because of bad drivers. That’s about it in the above paragraphs 🙂

I use the following components/software

Creative Audigy 2 ZS

Speedlink Medusa Pro Gamer Edition

Windows Vista Ultimate (32Bit)

As we all know, the driver support from Creative has been very sucky. I’ve been using the X-Fi drivers for quite some time now. Although they work ok, I started missing something in the sound reproduction. I then remembered playing Toca Race Driver 3 on Windows XP. When I drover over a curbstone, the Medusa started rumbling. It scared me in the beginning, but when I did it again I began to understand what was happening. This feature really adds to the user/gamer experience, so it simply can’t be missed! Today I finally found an solution for this (really) annoying problem Read on!

If you haven’t already installed the Audigy Tools, load the ISO (with Daemon Tools/Alcohol/etc) from Stage 1 & fire up the installer with Windows XP compatibility (I’ve read this somewhere, but forgot where & why…).

Open Windows Explorer (Cancel the installer if you have Autoplay enabled)

Right click Setup.exe

Click Properties

Click tab Compatibility

Tick Run this program in compatibility mode for:

Choose Windows XP (Service Pack 2)

Click OK

Double click Setup.exe

Choose Region + Language

Click Next

Uncheck Creative Mediasource

Click Next

Choose Custom Installation

It is of great importance you only check some tools which you think will be needed. Also, uncheckWindows Audio Driver, or you will have to start all over again… The most vital is THX Setup Console, which allows us to test the vibration properly & configure the settings needed for vibration, all bundled in one tool.

Before you are going to test the settings, grab your Medusa & check the Volume settings before you’re going to inflict some hearing damage. I have mine configured with the following settings:

Cen Vol : 3

Front Vol : 3

Rear Vol : 3

Vib Vol : 10

The reason Vib Vol is at it’s maximum, because I haven’t figured out a way to boost the Subwoofer signal. Other Audigy/X-Fi owners have the option “+15 Db Gain” in Bass Management or so, but I haven’t found this option yet. If you do, please let me know!

Stage 5 : Test & Enjoy!

To test the settings:

Tick Enable Bass Test Noise

Click the Subwoofer in the picture (big black box in the top)

Enjoy the Vibration!

I have tested it in Gears of War, what a good game. The added vibration makes it even better imho! I hope this guide will also work for you.